Everyone took a taking to Tom as soon as he walked in. Made sense. He was charming with a sweet smile. Made with only well-intentioned bones in his body. But for me? I felt sorry for the reason he was there.

He wanted to keep trying.

Hold out for another chance.

So he made jokes with the people in the living room. And ordered pizza for everyone there. And all the while, Danielle would lean over to me in periodic disdain and say, “I forgot how much I hated his sense of humor.” And when I complimented his hair she told me, “You should hook up with him so we can compare notes.”

“…Danielle…no…”

“What?! He’s a great guy. I’d like to know he’s going to be with someone great after me.”

“But we were supposed to get married,” he matter-of-factly reminded her. “Go to South America for that trip we always wanted to take. Then move in together. Then get a dog. We’ve been together for 8 years. Danielle…please…”

She cried.

And told him she was sorry one more time.

That if she married him she would be happy.

But not her happiest.

And then she slept on his couch. And him in his bed.

“And then he asked me if he could meet me one more time for closure.”

“When? Where?”

“Today. In 30 minutes. One block from here. At the Starbucks on 84th street and 3rd ave.”

“Holy shit. That’s so soon.”

“I know. I wanted to come here first though. To prepare for it…crazy how far things have come since our talk over a year ago, isn’t it?”

“Definitely…”

“I told him most everything after our talk. I had to. And I broke things off with Chantal because things didn’t feel right. Only because things escalated with my boss, Paige, and things felt best with her. Have I told you we’ve been sneaking into her office and doing things? No one in the office knows. And – shit. He’s calling. I have to go.”

So I put on my boots. Added some pants to my body and threw a sweatshirt on before I walked out the door. >>

It was

r

a

i

n

i

n

g

And I saw the Starbucks en route to my carb-loaded bliss.

I wondered if they were still there…

I held my marroon umbrella while I peeked intothe coffee shop, and that’s when I heard her voice behind me.

“Olive, is that you?”

Shit.

I was pretty embarrassed.

But only because.

She knew why I was spying in the first place.

Tom and Danielle were both standing there.

Each with umbrellas in their hands, in the midst of saying goodbye.

I did not play it cool.

“Heyyyyy guys! What’s up?!”

Why did I ask that.

I knew what the fuck was up.

Danielle appeased the situation and said they had just grabbed some coffee and were about to part ways, you?

“On my way to get a sandwich really quick.”

“Great, I’ll go with you.”

“What? No, no you stay. With Tom. And finish whatever it is that you’re doing. I’m just. I’m gonna go.”

“No, Olive. Wait. I’ll come with you.”

I knew she wanted to use me as an out. But I didn’t necessarily want to be. But suddenly the three of us were standing there in the pattering rain where I had accidentally invited myself to their epic goodbye.

MUST. TURN. AROUND.

The weighted rain drops muffled most of their conversation, but I did manage to hear another “I’m sorry,” from Danielle.

And then they both walked away.

And there I was.

Desperate for a sandwich, and eagerly waiting for her too.

“How was it?” I asked her in between telling the deli clerk the kind of cheese I preferred. #swiss

“Hard.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. It almost hurt me how okay he was with me walking away. But this is a good thing…for me, and for him. And the best things for the both of us are yet to come, I know it.”

She did know it.

And Danielle did a lot after that. Went on that South America trip with Paige, for one. And then they moved around the country together trying to rediscover themselves after that. Things weren’t always perfect. And truth be told, I’m not very sure if they even worked out.

But the longevity of that relationship mattered less to me than the reason she pursued it in the first place.

She was connecting the dots between

Being happy : : : : : &: : : : Being happiest

No matter what…or who…it took.

And I couldn’t have been more inspired by that.

As for Tom?

He buried himself in work for a while.

Then met an incredible girl named Victoria.

Who gave him everything he didn’t even knew he wanted, needed or could possibly ever have.

And as far as Facebook pictures tell me, they’re living one hell of a happy ever after.

2 Responses

lmao. as usual, your delivery does not disappoint! i laughed heartily at this one plenty of times. real life, not sugar coated but given with sweetness. that is how you wait us, and without speaking for the rest of us, i – as part of “the rest of us” – cant wait for another round of whatever you serve us next. until then,
– hoof her in the front butt.